![The causes of long-term picky eating remain poorly understood.](/web/20161130100028im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/0/c/j/r/image.related.landscape.380x253.gt0cip.png/1480456728382.jpg)
Top Resources
![Low GI Foods Essential Kids](/web/20161130100028im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/p/d/b/f/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.2ojgy.gjzsl9.png/1444350556147.jpg)
Why low GI matters
Most parents know that too much added sugar in their child’s diet is not good for them but are we overlooking another type of food that is just as harmful for our kids?
![Weet-Bix recipes](/web/20161130100028im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/u/a/7/o/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.2ua59.gjzsl9.png/1444350556147.jpg)
Top 5 recipe ideas to make with Weet-Bix
Muffins, pecan pie, chocolate balls, homemade granola and cookies - cooking with wholegrains doesn't have to be boring.
![Kilojoules galore ... How much do we teach kids about food?](/web/20161130100028im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/2/l/y/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.22lre.gjzsl9.png/1444647476998.jpg)
Dr. Joanna McMillan
Should kids be kilojoule aware?
![running](/web/20161130100028im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/h/i/a/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.1kgpt.gjzsl9.png/1444350556147.jpg)
![hp-back-to-school](/web/20161130100028im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/8/5/4/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.7vtt.gjzsl9.png/1444350556147.jpg)
![Making healthy choices for the whole family.](/web/20161130100028im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/k/u/x/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.11r6ty.gjzsl9.png/1444367268169.jpg)
Latest
![Bribery could be effective in getting your children to form long-term healthy eating habits, finds study.](/web/20161130100028im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/d/b/y/e/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsdbvh.png/1477634296234.jpg)
Would you pay your kids to eat their fruit and vegetables? Science says it's worth a try
New research suggests that when it comes to building long-term healthy eating habits, a little incentive (read: bribery) could actually go a long way.
![Constant sugar hits in a developing brain can change the reward centres for life, leading to behavioural and mood issues ...](/web/20161130100028im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/a/o/v/w/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsaov2.png/1477437441130.jpg)
Why sugar is so much worse for teenagers’ brains
Diets high in refined sugar and saturated fat not only contribute to weight gain and associated health issues, but also have a profoundly detrimental impact on brain function.
![Stephanie Alexander and Alice Waters demonstrating the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program in action in 2014.](/web/20161130100028im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/h/n/k/y/image.related.landscape.300x200.gs4r8z.png/1476912424079.jpg)
Get them eating well when they're young, and they'll prosper for life
In 2001 I decided to test my theory that if children could be introduced to the amazing world of growth and fresh food at an early age it would have a significant impact on their food habits for life.
![Is talking to your child about healthful eating, without the mention of weight, the solution?](/web/20161130100028im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/g/n/0/h/image.related.landscape.300x200.grgmgh.png/1473895991636.jpg)
What to say (or not to say) to your overweight child
Research suggests you shouldn't, because making comments to a child about weight - whether those comments come as teasing, criticism or "helpful" advice - can be counterproductive.
![<i></i>](/web/20161130100028im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/e/5/3/4/image.related.landscape.300x200.gre46o.png/1473644203823.jpg)
This video could ruin your love of gummy lollies
A stomach-churning video, showing just how our favourite gum-based lollies are made, has people swearing off gummy bears for life. And you might just do the same.
![Big Mac](/web/20161130100028im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/2/k/7/4/image.related.landscape.300x200.gr1q0t.png/1472424275310.jpg)
More salt than two Big Macs in one little packet
What do eight packets of Smith's salted potato crisps and two Big Macs have in common?
![The Natural Confectionery Co defines itself as 'natural' for using no artificial colours or flavours.](/web/20161130100028im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/o/i/y/e/image.related.landscape.300x200.gqoilk.png/1470873928941.jpg)
'Natural' snacks are not as healthy as you think
Just because a food is labelled "natural" doesn't make it healthy.
![FreshChoice Richmond have replaced all the sugary items at their checkouts with fresh fruit, water, salads, and batteries.](/web/20161130100028im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/l/t/i/7/image.related.landscape.300x200.gqltat.png/1470364150890.jpg)
New Zealand supermarket replaces chocolates at checkout with fruit and water
A Richmond supermarket in New Zealand has removed all sugary items from its checkout areas and replaced them with fresh fruit, salads, phone cards, batteries and water.
![Time to ditch the fundraising chocolates in favour of the Raise a Patch fundraiser kit.](/web/20161130100028im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/l/5/t/q/image.related.landscape.300x200.gql5p0.png/1470290833251.png)
Cutting the sugar: new fundraiser kit that fights childhood obesity
It has been widely acknowledged that the tradition of selling chocolate for school fundraising is problematic. In an era when childhood obesity is at an all-time high, and there is more knowledge than ever about the dangers of excessive sugar, one company is tackling the issue head on.
![A diagram of the sour lollies acid test CHOICE conducted.](/web/20161130100028im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/i/a/z/h/image.related.landscape.300x200.gqi9wq.png/1470027859978.jpg)
CHOICE finds side effects of eating sour lollies are worse than first thought
A new CHOICE report reveals that consuming sour lollies may in fact have far more serious side-effects than making your mouth and eyes water.
![A journey from happy eater to fussy eater and back again.](/web/20161130100028im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/b/r/o/e/image.related.landscape.300x200.gqbrad.png/1469167344251.jpg)
Why my son is an adventurous eater
All of a sudden previously inhaled home cooked meals were looked upon with disdain. More food would end up on the floor than in the mouth, and what was loved one day would be "gusting' the next.
Search pagination